Ferrata Speikboden

Overview

Situated above Campo Tures in the Ahrntal Valley, the Speikboden via ferrata is a recently built route designed to offer a complete mountain experience. This medium-difficulty ferrata stands out for its exceptional panoramic character and loop layout, which provides variety of movement both on the ascent and the return. Easy access via the cable car, along with other equipped routes in the same area, makes it a versatile destination for a day in the alpine environment.

Approach

The starting point is the valley station of the cable car, located along State Road 621 in the Ahrntal Valley, near Mühlen in Taufers. Take the first section of the cable car up to the Speikboden Alm, situated at an elevation of about 1970 meters. From here, the approach on foot begins, following trail number 27 in a southwesterly direction, where the first signs for the via ferrata appear. The trail maintains a steady but never demanding gradient, alternating short ups and downs on a well-marked path. After about 45 minutes of walking, you reach a signed junction to the right: here you leave trail 27 and head toward the actual start of the equipped route.

Via Ferrata

The start is marked by a green information board, located near a wooden bench. The first few meters engage the climber on a diagonal ramp to the right, which leads to a short vertical step and the crossing of some rocky slabs. The route continues with a long, equipped connecting section, technically easy, alternating simple rock steps with walkways along ledges. This section, mostly horizontal or gently sloping, allows you to get comfortable with the environment and admire the view opening up over the valley. The sequence leads to the first suspension bridge, built with four ropes: although structurally stable, its length makes it an exposed and adrenaline-filled crossing that requires a steady step. Immediately after, you tackle a second bridge, of more solid construction with wooden planks, but longer in length. Once this double crossing is completed, the first section of the route ends.

A short trail section connects to the start of the second section. Here the route changes character: the first meters are vertical and offer enjoyable climbing on solid, well-stepped rock, before turning right in some traversing sections. The route maintains a sustained but steady pace, continuing over easy rock formations until a more demanding vertical passage, which represents the technically most significant point of the ferrata. After a few meters diagonally and one final vertical stretch, the final rock steps are completed. The via ferrata ends at an elevation of 2480 meters; the climbing time from the start is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Continuing along the trail, in a few minutes you gain the summit of Speikboden (2517 m), crowned by a cross.

Descent

From the summit, for the loop return to the top station of the cable car, two options are available. The first option involves heading south, picking up trail 27 in a steady descent. At a junction, you can choose to descend left on the same trail 27, reconnecting with the section traveled on the approach, or deviate to reach the Sonnklar Alm (2400 m), the Sonnklar Ridge, and then descend via trail 26 toward the cable car. This variant, which offers a more varied and scenic route, takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes total from the start of the hike. The second, more direct option is to head north from the summit, keeping to the right to follow trail 18. This route stays high, crosses the Großer Rücken (2400 m), and then descends steeply on trail 18A toward the cable car station, clearly visible at the bottom of the valley. The total time for this descent is about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Useful Notes

The Speikboden Via Ferrata is overall classified as medium difficulty. It presents no extreme technical obstacles, and for climbers with experience on challenging routes, much of the route can be tackled in free climbing. The route was inaugurated in the summer of 2021, along with two other via ferratas in the same area, reachable from the same top station: the Kids Ferrata, an easy level route ideal for children, and the Adventure Ferrata, a modern-style route with bridges, nets, ladders, and suspended passages that guarantee an adrenaline-filled experience despite contained technical difficulty. This new offering completes the selection of equipped routes in the Ahrntal Valley, joining more challenging and historic ferratas in the area, such as the Pursteinwand Ferrata, the Camino/Ghiacciaio Ferrata on Monte Nero, and the recent and difficult Hans Kammerlander Ferrata. The region offers numerous other possibilities for enthusiasts, from the ferratas of Valdaora and Piz de Peres near Brunico, to routes in Val Badia and on the northern side of the Odle Mountains.